Bike lane for Highway 54

Hello friends:

As you may be aware Nevada was chosen by Cerner Corporation as it's pilot program to increase health awareness and healthy living in Missouri communities. They have coined this the Healthy Nevada Project. Part of the Healthy Nevada program is to develop trails and alternative transportation modalities. These would include trails, sidewalk improvement, bike lanes, etc. Many of which you only see in larger communities with a larger tax base and more political leverage.

A proposal has been started to extend the smooth surface, add share the road signage, and paint a clear lane line creating a cycling lane on Highway 54 between Nevada and El Dorado Springs as part of the highways resurfacing project scheduled for this summer.

The new lane would provide a legal and safe means of alternative transportation and a fitness opportunity for area residents.

The state is allocating funds for such projects that will be implemented somewhere! Why not have them implemented in our rural area instead of our tax dollars being spent in larger urban areas as usual! Does Springfield need another alternative transportation option or do we need our first!

However, our community will never see this project completed without your help. We need to show how many people in our area want this project and will use it.

That is why we are asking you to share your enthusiasm for this project by emailing a brief statement of support to 54bikelane@gmail.com Then, please forward this email to some of your friends in the community asking them to write their emails and forward on to their contacts. Only together can we make this happen. Our goal is to garner at least 100 emails generated from Nevada area citizens. A similar request has been started in El Dorado Springs.

Thank you for your support!

Below is an example email to help you write your support statement. Only with your help can we make this proposal a reality. (You can even use cut and paste then modify to save time)

Sample:

To whom it may concern: My name is _. I am writing to show my support for the proposed cycling lane on 54 Highway. Many people cycle and run on this route currently and I feel this project will only increase this trend. The project will certainly add to their safety! It will be great to have a project like this completed in our rural community.

Thank you,

(your name)

Use references to being rural, your tax dollars staying rural, safety, current use, and anticipated increased future use.

If you feel so inclined you may also write to:

Darin Hamelink

MoDot Area Engineer

600 West Outer Rd.

Nevada, MO 64772

Thank you

Steve Marquardt

Nevada